The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum is the entry-level Aeroplan card in TD’s lineup — a lower annual fee alternative to the Visa Infinite version that suits Canadians who want Aeroplan earning without the higher fee or income requirements. It earns fewer points per dollar and comes with fewer perks, but for the right cardholder, it’s a practical way to participate in the Aeroplan program.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Lower-income applicants or moderate spenders who don’t qualify for the Visa Infinite, want a smaller annual fee, or are building toward a higher-tier card.
Not ideal for: Heavy grocery or gas spenders who would earn significantly more from the 1.5x rates on the Visa Infinite, or cardholders who need comprehensive travel insurance.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $89 ($0 for first year — verify with TD) |
| Additional cardholder fee | $35 |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Income requirement | None specified (more accessible than Infinite) |
| Network | Visa Platinum |
| Welcome bonus | Up to 20,000 Aeroplan points (verify current offer with TD) |
Always confirm current welcome bonus and promotional offers directly with TD before applying.
Welcome Bonus
The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum typically offers a welcome bonus of 10,000–20,000 Aeroplan points, structured as a base bonus on first purchase plus an additional amount for meeting a minimum spend within the first few months.
What 20,000 Aeroplan points are worth:
- Short-haul economy flight within Canada: most routes require 15,000–25,000 points → covers one way or a portion of return
- At 1.5 cpp: approximately $300 in travel value
The welcome bonus is considerably smaller than the Visa Infinite tier’s 50,000-point offer — a meaningful difference for new Aeroplan collectors.
Earn Rates
| Spending Category | Earn Rate |
|---|---|
| Gas | 1 Aeroplan point per $1 |
| Groceries | 1 Aeroplan point per $1 |
| Air Canada purchases | 1 Aeroplan point per $1 |
| Everything else | 1 Aeroplan point per $1 |
The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum earns a flat 1 Aeroplan point per dollar on all purchases with no elevated category bonuses. This is the key differentiator from the Visa Infinite, which earns 1.5x on groceries and gas.
Annual earning example (based on $1,500/month spend):
| Category | Monthly | Rate | Annual Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| All spending | $1,500 | 1x | 18,000 |
18,000 Aeroplan points per year = approximately $270–$396 in economy flight redemptions.
Travel Perks and Benefits
The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum includes a more limited set of travel perks compared to the Visa Infinite version:
First checked bag free
Like the Visa Infinite, the Platinum card includes a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation. This benefit is one of the strongest included in both TD Aeroplan tiers and can effectively recover the annual fee on a single family trip.
Emergency travel medical insurance
Up to $1 million in emergency medical coverage for the cardholder and immediate family members for trips up to 21 days. Note: this is a lower limit than the Visa Infinite ($2 million).
Travel accident insurance
Coverage for accidental death or dismemberment while travelling on a paid common carrier ticket charged to the card.
Delayed and lost baggage insurance
Coverage for reasonable expenses (clothing, essentials) if baggage is delayed 6+ hours, or if baggage is permanently lost. Coverage limits are lower than the Visa Infinite tier.
Purchase security and extended warranty
- Purchase protection against theft, loss, or damage for 90 days
- Extended warranty doubles the manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee (primary) | $89 |
| Annual fee (additional) | $35 |
| Purchase interest | 20.99% |
| Cash advance | 22.99% |
| Foreign transaction | 2.5% |
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum vs. TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
This is the most important comparison for prospective cardholders:
| Feature | Visa Platinum | Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $89 | $139 |
| Grocery earn rate | 1x | 1.5x |
| Gas earn rate | 1x | 1.5x |
| Welcome bonus | ~20,000 pts | ~50,000 pts |
| Emergency medical | $1M | $2M |
| Trip cancellation | Not included | Included |
| Trip interruption | Not included | Included |
| NEXUS reimbursement | Not included | Included |
| Income requirement | None | $60K personal |
The $50 annual fee difference between the two cards doesn’t take long to offset with the Visa Infinite. A household spending $800/month on groceries earns an extra 5,760 points annually at 1.5x vs. 1x — worth approximately $86–$127 in flight redemptions. The Infinite pays for the extra $50 annual fee through earn rate alone within months.
The Visa Platinum makes sense only if you do not qualify for the Visa Infinite (income threshold or credit limit) or you have a specific reason for carrying a lower annual fee card (e.g., you hold the Visa Infinite as a primary card and want a lower-cost additional card option).
Who Is the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Best For?
Good fit:
- Applicants who don’t meet the $60,000 income requirement for the Visa Infinite
- Younger Canadians building their credit profile who want to participate in Aeroplan earning
- Those who want a backup or secondary Aeroplan card at lower cost
- Very low spenders ($500–$800/month total) where the Infinite’s earn rate premium doesn’t justify the fee difference
Poor fit:
- Households spending $800+/month on groceries — the Visa Infinite pays for itself quickly
- Anyone who travels internationally (foreign transaction fee applies on both cards; neither waives it)
- Those wanting comprehensive trip cancellation/interruption coverage
Alternatives to the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum
| Card | Annual Fee | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | 1.5x grocery and gas, better insurance, larger welcome bonus |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa (no fee) | $0 | No annual fee, 1x on everything |
| TD Rewards Visa | $0 | No annual fee, but earns TD Rewards Points (not Aeroplan) |
The CIBC Aeroplan Visa (no annual fee) earns 1x on all purchases at no cost — the same earn rate as the TD Platinum but without the $89 fee. Unless you specifically want TD banking integration or the Platinum’s insurance package, the no-fee CIBC Aeroplan Visa may be preferable for budget-conscious applicants.
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum FAQ
What income do I need for the TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum? TD does not publish a specific minimum income requirement for the Platinum card (unlike the Visa Infinite’s $60,000 threshold). Applicants with moderate income who have been declined for the Infinite may qualify for the Platinum.
Is the annual fee waived in the first year? TD periodically offers first-year annual fee waivers on the Platinum. Verify the current promotion on TD’s website or by calling.
Can I upgrade from the Visa Platinum to the Visa Infinite later? Generally, yes. Contact TD and request a product switch once your income or credit profile qualifies for the Infinite. You typically keep your Aeroplan points balance throughout.
Do I earn Aeroplan points at the same rate as the Visa Infinite at Esso? Yes for the credit card component (1x per dollar on fuel). The Esso partner earn also applies when you present your Aeroplan number — that’s separate from the card earn rate.
Bottom Line
The TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum is an adequate entry point into Aeroplan earning for those who don’t qualify for or can’t justify the Visa Infinite. The free first checked bag on Air Canada is a genuine standalone benefit, and the 1x flat earn is functional.
However, the Visa Infinite’s 1.5x grocery and gas earn rate, larger welcome bonus, and more complete insurance package make it the clearly better card for anyone who can qualify. If you can meet the income threshold, apply for the Visa Infinite. If you can’t, the Platinum is a reasonable placeholder until your financial profile allows an upgrade.
Card terms, earn rates, and welcome bonus offers are subject to change. Verify current details at td.com before applying.